With their 500-win coach, triplet sister standouts and star players in the news, the Scott High School volleyball team is experiencing a spike in popularity. But the Eagles are more interested in good scores and acing the test ahead.
“Our goal is to win another district and defend our title in the region and hopefully do well at state,” coach Andrea Sullivan said.
History is not on her side as a public school has never won a KHSAA girls volleyball state championship. But six seniors and a host of dynamic role players are on her side. That makes the Eagles a serious threat this postseason.
“A lot of our girls have state experience,” said senior hitter Milyn Minor. “The stage isn’t too big and we can just go out there and play.”
District tournaments begin this week, with Campbell County hosting the 37th. Scott, the top-seeded two-time defending champion at 3-0, opens Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Campbell County. The winner earns an automatic berth in the 10th Region tournament and faces the Bishop Brossart–Calvary Christian winner in Thursday’s district final.
“I think we’ll do really well,” said Ryann Grigsby, the eldest of three Scott triplets.
The 10th Region event is hosted by the 40th District champion (either Bourbon County, George Rogers Clark, Montgomery County or Paris). The winner advances to the state tournament. Scott, the defending regional champ and a state semifinalist last season, hasn’t lost a 10th Region match since 2023.
“Last year alone, making it to the semifinals, was a great accomplishment for our school and a lot of those girls are still with us,” said Sullivan. “When you win, you have a target on your back. We play a tough schedule. Winning state for a public school is harder than it looks.”
The 24-11 Eagles are riding a six-match winning streak after beating Simon Kenton at home on Thursday in the regular season finale. The Eagles carry a 21-game regional win streak into the postseason. They’re 8-0 in the region this season. They’re No. 1 in the latest Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association 10th Region poll.
Despite a stretch without an injured starter, they’re bearing down on another district crown, another regional title, and a growing list of individual milestones and awards already filling personal trophy cases from Taylor Mill to Covington.
The Eagles’ regional dominance is so complete that Campbell County is the only team to beat them in regular season play over the past four seasons. No other regional opponent has managed it since Calvary Christian in 2021. Back then, Scott’s six seniors were still in middle school.
“We’ve all known each other for a while, and we have a special bond,” said youngest Grigsby triplet Payton, who — like Ryann — has a college volleyball offer from Mount St. Joseph University. “And we are confident. It’s easier to play well when you’re connected and confident.”
That connection fuels their speed, a necessary edge for a team that wins with quickness, not height. No Eagle stands taller than 5-foot-11, but speed covers every inch of the floor.
“We try to serve aggressively and run a fast-tempo offense,” Sullivan said. “We’re not big around the net, so when we are playing really fast, we are at our most effective.”
The 5-10 Minor, still seeking a college destination, is team captain with an ability to score from anywhere. A first-team all-state pick last season and two-time 10th Region player of the year, she leads the Eagles with 512 kills and 42 blocks after the latest KHSAA update. Minor surpassed 2,000 career kills last week and broke the school record earlier this season with her 1,442nd dig.
Ryann Grigsby leads the team with 862 assists. She surpassed 3,000 career assists last week after shattering an 11-year-old school record.
Other seniors include Morgan Justice, second on the team in block average and third in kills average, and Reagan Cummins, second in total blocks. Justice has committed to Thomas More College.
These are some of the best players in Kentucky. Minor, Ryann and Payton Grigsby, and Justice were named to the 2025 KVCA Preseason Watch List.
Sophomores Jacinda Campbell and Emory Sullivan, the coach’s daughter, are key contributors. Emory Sullivan leads the team with 384 digs, followed closely by Payton Grigsby (353), who surpassed 1,000 career digs last week and leads the team in service aces. Campbell is third in kills and fourth in blocks.
The best of the best are also clutch performers. Payton joined sister Ryann and Minor on last year’s 10th Region all-tournament team.
Junior Maddy Johnson and freshmen Abigail Lindsey and Kinley Dunford have played in 20 matches or more. Coach Sullivan is longtime friends with Dunford’s mother, who has three other daughters coached by Sullivan. Freshman Shelby White, Emory Sullivan’s cousin, adds to the team’s tight bond.
“We are super close,” said middle triplet KaLeigh Grigsby, whose mom played volleyball for the Eagles.
Win or lose, this incredibly successful ride for the six seniors at Scott will come to an end.
“It’ll be sad when it does,” KaLeigh said, defiantly.
Her quiet confidence captures everything: the bond between teammates, the looming end of a shared chapter and the hope that achievement might soften the ache of goodbye.
“The best thing about it is, these are really great girls,” Sullivan said. “I’ve really had a lot of fun with them.”